This weekend, as a fitting kick-off to Heritage Month, The Department of Culture celebrated six artists’ achievements during the 2024 Bermuda Arts Council Awards at the Ruth Seaton James Auditorium on Saturday, May 4, 2024. The event was hosted by the Chair of the Bermuda Arts Council, Shanna Hollis (pictured). 

Ms. Terlena Murphy accepted The Patron Award on behalf of her aunt, Dame Jennifer M. Smith. 

You may recall the following recipients selected this year were : 

• Dr. Edwin M.E. Smith and David K. Knight (posthumous) was recognized with The Lifetime Achievement Award. This award is presented to those persons who are respected in their art form, and who have created a significant body of original work that is representative of the Bermudian spirit.
• The Founder Award was presented to Dwayne Julian Carter Paynter and Gavin Djata Smith for being pioneers in their respective art form.  This award is given to artists who have been mentors/ role models for their fellow artists and the generations to follow.
• The Patron Award is presented to those persons who have been benefactors to the Bermuda Arts Community. The award signifies the appreciation of the Bermudian community, and was awarded to Dame Jennifer M. Smith.
• Actress Lana Young received the Earl Cameron Award for her standout stage and television performances on an international stage, as a nominee for Most Outstanding Ensemble Cast in a Motion Picture for A Jazzman’s Blues.  The Earl Cameron Award, in honour of Bermuda’s distinguished son Earlston J. Cameron, CBE, recognises expertise and vision. Introduced in 2019, this occasional award will be presented to a Bermudian professional in early-or mid-career who has demonstrated exceptional passion, commitment and talent in the field of theatre, cinematography, film or video production.